Holly Scott-Gardner, pictured outside the Italian restaurant with guide dog Isla, said the decision to refuse the dog's entry was 'ridiculous'

A blind student's birthday meal was ruined when staff at a restaurant said her guide dog would not be allowed inside the premises.

Holly Scott-Gardner, 22, criticised the 'ridiculous and disrespectful' decision by staff at PGR restaurant in Coventry, West Midlands, who said her guide dog Isla needed to be tied up outside.

The first-year Coventry University student filmed part of her argument with staff at the Italian restaurant and uploaded the footage to Facebook, where the video has been shared thousands of times.

She said: 'I just think it's ridiculous and really disrespectful. Most people are receptive. They've probably got away with it in the past.

'The argument went on for about five minutes. I only filmed about two minutes of it. It makes no difference if it's a franchise or not.

'If you have a business, you have to oblige by all the law.'

The footage shows Ms Scott-Gardner talking to two members of staff, a man believed to be the owner of the business and a woman, who explained it is against the restaurant's policy to allow Isla inside.

In the video, Ms Scott-Gardner said: 'You have to let me in, it is illegal to not let me in your business.'

The video shows two staff members, a man and a woman, who explain Isla is not allowed in the premises

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THE ARGUMENT

HSG: 'Because I'm sorry, because it is a guide dog and I can't refuse it.'

Waitress: 'I understand that and I'm so sorry.'

HSG: 'We've been asked to leave because I've got a guide dog.'

Owner: 'We do not allow the dog.'

HSG: 'You have to let me in, it is illegal to not let me in your business, I've got a service dog.'

Owner: 'Ok, you can put... (points outside)

Woman (out of shot): 'We're not sitting outside.'

HSG: 'No, it's illegal to not let me in.'

Owner: 'No we can't.'

HSG: ''You've just broken the law, you do realise you could get fined several thousand pounds, right?'

Owner: 'Ok, you can leave your dog out.'

HSG: 'No, I'm not leaving my dog outside, it's a guide dog.'

Waitress: 'Darling this is a private business, it is not a franchise.'

HSG: 'It doesn't matter, if it is a business and if you're open to the public, you can not refuse my guide dog.'

Waitress: 'You can go to other restaurants because we don't accept, unfortunately.'

HSG: 'I'm sorry, I'm going to have to report you.'

Later in the exchange, she said: 'You have just broken the law.'

The man, thought to be the owner, said: 'You can leave your dog out.'

The female staff member then said: 'It's a private business, not a franchise. You can go to other restaurants because we don't accept, unfortunately.'

After the incident, a friend of Ms Scott-Gardner phoned the restaurant and was allegedly told guide dogs were not allowed in due to the open kitchen plan.

However, PGR has since released a statement which read: 'PGR deeply regret what has happened and that this was as a result of a lack of understanding of what a guide dog is and the legal rights the owner has for them and their dog.'

The statement also claimed that the restaurant would be working alongside Guide Dogs for the Blind to 'promote awareness with positive outcomes'.

Emily Zorish, restaurant manager at PGR, said: 'We do accept guide dogs. One member of staff was not informed. We explained that we do accept guide dogs.'

Meanwhile, Ms Scott-Gardner has been flooded with support on social media since she posted the video on Facebook.

Commenting on the video posted by Ms Scott-Gardner, one Facebook user said: 'What part of 'this is illegal' do people not get?'

Another wrote: 'So sorry that this happened at all, but especially for your birthday lunch.'

After the incident, a friend of Ms Scott-Gardner phoned the restaurant and was allegedly told guide dogs were not allowed in due to the open kitchen plan.

Dozens of people commented on Ms Scott-Gardner's Facebook page to show their support for the student

In a statement, PGR said: 'PGR deeply regret what has happened and that this was as a result of a lack of understanding of what a guide dog is and the legal rights the owner has for them and their dog.'

And Guide Dogs for the Blind said they would be working alongside the restaurant to 'promote awareness with positive outcomes'.

Emily Zorish, restaurant manager at PGR, said: 'We do accept guide dogs. One member of staff was not informed. We explained that we do accept guide dogs.'

PGR restaurant insisted they 'deeply regret' the incident at the diner in Coventry

Guide Dogs for the Blind said the charity will work alongside the charity to promote awareness of guide dogs

Under the Equalities Act, disabled people have the same right to services supplied by shops, banks, hotels, libraries, pubs, taxis and restaurants as everyone else.

Holly spent the rest of her birthday speaking to advisers at the Guide Dogs charity.

Ms Scott-Gardner received a number of supportive messages on Twitter, including from strangers

Many social media users expressed their anger that she and her guide dog could be treated this way

Others directed their anger at PGR - who said the incident was as a result of a 'lack of understanding'